Governance

How is the National Trust run? Who makes the fundamental decisions that shape our future? As an influential volunteer, it could be you.

A charity, a conservation body, a curator of beautiful places and spaces – and so much more. We’re also a major commercial enterprise, a retailer, a restaurant chain, a visitor attraction. There is no other organisation in the UK like the National Trust. And it’s that exceptional breadth of opportunity and challenge that makes working with us so incredibly stimulating.

Working with us in a non-executive capacity is a wonderfully rewarding experience: it’s an opportunity to have a real say in our current and future operations. In return for your time, knowledge and expertise, you’ll have the chance to shape our work as you help to grow the nation’s love of special places.

Whatever your area of interest, you’ll find a range of appealing non-executive opportunities here. The places we look after are varied and for everyone – we’re keen to reflect this in our governance community. We welcome applications from people of all ages, areas and backgrounds who can positively contribute to our work. The details of our appointment or election processes are clearly outlined in each vacancy.

The principles underlying our non-executive appointments

We recognise that one of the most important means by which openness, transparency and accountability can be achieved is through the appointment or election, as appropriate, of high-calibre volunteers capable of overseeing the governance arrangements of the Trust, ensuring that it remains focused on achieving its mission efficiently and effectively.

The Board of Trustees and the various Nominations Committees of the Council play a key role in the process of non-executive appointments and elections. An external member sits on each of these Nominations Committees to increase the rigour of our procedures.

Before an appointment or election process is initiated for any of the bodies in the governance structure, the relevant committee will take into account:

the aims and purposes of the body concerned

the knowledge, skills and experience required for the position in question

the intention to create a diverse and effective body

the intention to meet standards of good governance

the intention to avoid conflicts of interest.

These aims will be pursued in a manner proportionate to the nature of the positions to be filled.

The Committees will ensure that appointment and election processes are:

conducted in an open and transparent way

applied in a fair, equitable, objective and impartial manner

designed to be thorough, robust and expeditious

applied consistently

fully explained and readily comprehensible.

Typical governance opportunities

Trustee

Our Board of Trustees is the National Trust’s governing body. In many ways, they’re our guardians, our conscience. Their role is to ensure that we have a clear vision and a strategy in place, and that we’re doing everything we say we’ll do.

Council Member

Providing guidance and perspective, appointing our Trustees and ultimately holding the Board of Trustees to account, the Council is the guardian of our spirit and long-term objectives.

Committee Member

Our Audit, Investment and Senior Management Remuneration Committees provide oversight and assurance in their specialist areas and report into our Board of Trustees.

Other types of non-executive opportunities

Member of a Regional/Country Advisory Board

With a real passion for your region, you’ll advise, support and challenge Regional/Country Directors and their teams to help them deliver the Trust’s strategy in their area.

Member of an Advisory Group

With your specialist perspective, and skills and knowledge which complement that of our staff, you’ll provide advice to assist in developing and delivering the Trust’s strategy in one of the following areas: Historic Environment; Natural Environment; Collections and Interpretation; Commercial.

Meet our volunteers

Elizabeth Hamilton

appointed Council member

Originally a plant ecologist and woodland management specialist, I’ve worked and volunteered in countryside protection and conservation for a variety of organisations since 1977. I have supported and admired the Trust’s work for many years and enjoy exploring coast and countryside properties as well as the Trust’s houses and gardens. With governance experience as a county branch chairman and national board trustee for the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), I was delighted to be asked to become CPRE’s appointee on the Trust’s Council. It has been fantastic to meet many people involved with the Trust and have a role in guiding the organisation. The Trust is concerned with such a wide range of issues that every Council member has something to contribute, so it’s been a learning experience for me too.

Sanya Sheikh

elected Council member

Working in the digital technology sector I am acutely aware of how important it is to stay connected. My support for the National Trust stems from my belief that there is no more important connection than the one we have with nature. The Trust undertakes an incredible breadth of work, much of which I would not have known about prior to joining the council. For those interested in a voluntary governance role, the council offers a fascinating and rewarding insight into the Trust, as well as the opportunity to be able to help guide it towards a more successful future. As a Council member I have been impressed by the passion and expertise of my colleagues and believe a further diversity of voices would only benefit the organisation as a whole.

Justin Atkinson

member of the Audit Committee

I sit on a number of boards including one as an Audit Chairman, so hopefully I bring a current, external perspective to this role. The Trust is a large organisation with annual revenues of more than £500m and has the responsibility of looking after several billion pounds worth of heritage assets. Therefore, it is very important that the governance function ensures that the financial reporting processes and internal controls framework are robust. I am pleased to be able to play my part in this and to work alongside high calibre people who work with such dedication, enthusiasm and commitment.

Bob Brown

Chair of Northern Ireland’s Regional Advisory Board

I worked for the National Trust on Strangford Lough in my earlier years, and my career as a marine biologist and general nature conservation has kept me involved with the Northern Ireland team ever since – after all, we do have about 22% of Northern Ireland’s remarkable coast! But my enthusiasm for the Trust is much broader than that. Some of the most iconic landscape and cultural features, landscapes, gardens, historic houses, are in our care and they’re vital to a community still trying to find itself after years of conflict. I was delighted to be offered a place on the Regional Advisory Board – we have a central role to play in advising the team on the challenges this presents, horizon scanning for issues, providing local feedback. Later, to be appointed as Chair, gave me even greater insight into the dedication and skill of our staff and volunteers and how the whole system fits together. There’s no organisation like the National Trust in the world, and it’s a real privilege to be a small, but hopefully useful, part of it.

Michael Walker

member of the Historic Environment Group

I work for St Modwen, a leading regeneration specialist which owns the 725 acre Trentham Estate in Staffordshire. The challenges and opportunities we face at Trentham are little different to those experienced by the National Trust. I believe in using the significance of the past to help support the revival of gardens and landscape in contemporary ways which are relevant to their audience today. The Trust cares for truly amazing places with an extremely experienced and professional people. The Historic Environment Group is invited to look at a diverse range of issues which includes gardens and landscape, as well as offering specialist advice to the teams on the ground. We are here to support the Trust but I often feel that we gain as much out of the time we contribute in terms of our own learning and CPD as the Trust receives from us in return.

Interested in a non-executive volunteering role?

We have a wide range of opportunities to suit different interests, experience and backgrounds. The places we look after are varied – and we’re keen to reflect this in our governance community. We welcome applications from people of all ages, areas and backgrounds who can positively contribute to our work. The details of our appointment or election processes are clearly outlined in each vacancy.

Current governance opportunities

Please remember, we welcome applications from people of all ages, areas and backgrounds who can positively contribute to our work. If you don’t find the role you are searching for today, we'd still love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us.

When you think of the amazing work the National Trust does across the country, you probably think of perfectly preserved heritage, historic monuments, endless beaches, farms, forests, villages and world-famous landmarks. Do you picture yourself right in the centre of it, driving change and creating incredible experiences for people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland? Will you stand up for the places that matter to you and join the National Trust as they tackle the environmental challenges facing society today? Can you imagine your contribution that will bring treasured memories to generations of visitors?

What you’ll be doing

Our Regional Advisory Board ensures that the nation’s most beautiful and historic locations are treasured and upheld. In this crucial role as Chair, you will make sure the Board represents the changes and improvements suggested across the north of England and will make sure all voices are heard in the pursuit of progress, making sure we address the issues that are affecting people today and into the future. You’ll contribute to the decisions made by the Regional Advisory Board, chairing the meetings to allow every opinion to be represented and advise the Regional Director. We’re always looking for new voices at these meetings and for people with a deep understanding of the area’s cultural and natural heritage, which allows us to maintain the interests of all stakeholders with a broad perspective and allows us to keep the National Trust fresh.

This is a chance for you to use your networking and personal skills to make a real difference to the north of England. From epic coastlines, to abbey ruins to beautiful gardens, this isn’t just about a day out, this is about protecting what makes the north a special place to live. When you're running the Advisory Board meetings, you'll cover many issues such as national and regional strategy, you'll be welcomed to challenge and debate the Regional Director to make sure the opinions of the Advisory Board are represented and that your own creative and strategic ideas and considered.

Currently, the Board holds three meetings a year, when you attend these, you shape the future of the Trust, encouraging the things that are successful and identify areas with room for improvement. Bring a new perspective and make a tangible difference to some of the country's most treasured locations.

Who we're looking for

Does this sound like you?

Passionate about the North of England, with a knowledge and appreciation of its dynamic and diverse character

A creative thinker who drives innovation and you’re motivated by the idea of making a difference

An understanding of the environmental challenges facing society and how the National Trust can respond to them

Strong communication skills and a network that can help develop new and existing partnerships

Willing to push the Regional Director and his team, ensuring they find bold, creative and pragmatic solutions

Ability to approach problems with a different perspective, to get the best out of the Board and act as a sounding board for the Regional Director, exploring ideas with them personally

Apply Now

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with big ideas and a passion for the National Trust to become a very influential volunteer. Get in touch today, apply to become Chair of the North Regional Advisory Board.